By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders in Bauchi State have expressed significant concerns over immunization zero dose children across 13 local government areas (LGAs) and missed communities in the state.
They made the lamentation during capacity building for the members of the Community of Practice (CoP) on immunization budget tracking, accountability,and sustainability targeting zero dose children organized by Africa Health Budget Network on Tuesday in Bauchi.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed,the executive chairman Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board Dr Rilwanu Mohammed has noted that despite the availability of vaccines which are administered free of charge,
He identified the thirteen LGAs within the State that have been particularly noted for their high concentration of zero dose children are Alkaleri ,Bauchi, Ganjuwa, Darazo, Gamawa.
Others Itas Gadau, Katagum, Misau, Toro Ningi, Shira and Zaki LGAs all show the children didn’t receive Penta 1 vaccination.
Mohammed said out of the remaining seven LGA while two are porous local government areas that border neighboring to be and Jigawa States.
He said that zero dose reduction strategies have been put in place to include periodic intensification of routine immunization in between rounds activities and market vaccination.
“We don’t know why parents and caregivers refuse to vaccinate their children and to address the challenges, the board takes the vaccination to hard to reach communities, at naming ceremonies and follow nomads along their routes.
Dr Mohammed said the state government remains the main source of funding for health and is being supported by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund
He added that with the transition of the MOU arrangement from Routine immunization MOU to PHC Bauchi is now responsible for 100% payment of immunisation activities.
“This money will be used for vaccine delivery, cold chain maintenance, Routine immunization intensification and demand generation among others,” he said.
On his part, Dr Aminu Mgashi, The Chief Executive (COE) and Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network AFENET said the organisation is a sub- partner to the African Field epidemiology Network on the Nigeria zero dose learning Hub.
He said that GAVI established the Learning Hub to address issues around immunization equity by identifying zero dose and under- immunized children using the identify, reach, monitor, measure and advocate framework.
According to him, AHBN has established a community of practice which focuses on budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability.
“The capacity building is to help the CoP members influence the immunization financing landscape through evidence-based advocacy,” he said.
The CoP members include health experts, relevant government officials, Academia, Media, Civil Society Organisations, social Media handler’s among others.